Published May 7, 2014
At our digital marketing agency, we’ve learned that you never know what’s going to happen next (take the massive Target breach, for example). That’s why it’s important to take all of the steps you can to create a safe online business operation. Here are some tips to help you improve your security:
First of all, make sure you’re using virus software that is reputable (like McAfee, Malwarebytes, Symantec, etc.). After you’ve installed it, be sure to update it whenever possible. These updates keep your software working at its best to protect your system; it won’t work properly if it’s not up to date.
When it comes to passwords, the more complicated, the better. Make sure that the passwords for all of your programs are different and that each includes a mix of elements like capital letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Make your employees aware of the importance of strong passwords as well.
You’re probably already using a software firewall (a.k.a. a firewall that comes with your computer), but a hardware firewall will do a better job of protecting your perimeter. These firewalls can handle more traffic than software firewalls and can be programmed to use more sophisticated protection methods, which makes them ideal for businesses. Again, look for a reputable name (like Cisco, NetScreen, SonicWALL, etc.).
You never know when something is going to crash or be hacked into, so make sure you back up all of your data on a regular basis. This way, if you need to access it, you’ll be able to from another source.
Make sure that you encrypt your business wi-fi network by turning on WEP (Wired Equivalency Privay) or WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access). Also, encourage your employees to not download questionable items using your business connection and to not use public wi-fi connections on work computers or devices.
Create a user account for each employee and either assign a strong password or have them create one. With user accounts, you can prevent unauthorized access and limit the administrative power each employee has.
Besides the knowledge of strong passwords and acceptable wi-fi behavior, your employees should know what to look for when it comes to viruses. Some viruses only look like a virus to trick the user, then once they try to get rid of it, the virus shows itself. Others come in the form of spam emails, websites, and even social media followers. Schedule an educational seminar to teach your employees about the world of cyber dangers.
